# NTSB MKC85FA111: Bedeell BD-5, N500BR, Belton, MO, May 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1985, 09:59 local (14:59 UTC)
- Place: Belton, MO
- Coordinates: 38.810134, -94.530403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8101&lon=-94.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA111

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE A LOSS OF PWR WAS EXPERIENCED AFTER WHICH THE ACFT STALLED AND IMPACTED A CORN FLD. THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND ONLY ABOUT AN OUNCE OF FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR. FUEL BURN ON THE TERRAIN UNDER THE RIGHT WING INDICATED FUEL WAS AVAILABLE IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE LEFT TANK. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED A SEALANT USED ON THE WING FUEL TANKS HAD COATED THE GLASS SIGHT FUEL GAGES THUS RESTRICTING THE PLTS ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY DETERMINE FUEL QUANTITY INFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N500BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500BR-1991-03-18), registration cancelled 1991-03-18, S/N 3401 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEDEELL BD-5
- Registry model: [Russell BEDE BD-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/russell-bede-bd-5b) (registry code 1130622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3401
- Airframe hours: 13
- Engines: HONDA EB2 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: GVW, BELTON, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 475 total, 13 in this make and model, 379 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVW, 5 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850522023239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850522023239A), May 22, 1985: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Kansas City, MO, Destroyed. Engine quit on final. Severe impact compression damage. Fuel selector on empty tank, sight gauge unreadable.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.